GDHQNHL15_2pg-Calgary Flames 1

Anaheim Ducks Gameday HQ

CALGARY
FLAMES WESTERN CONFERENCE
Key Additions:
Mason Raymond, Jonas Hiller,
Deryk Engelland
Key Subtractions:
Michael Cammalleri, Chris
Butler, T.J. Galiardi, Kevin
Westgarth, Shane O’Brien
Strengths:
Offensive defensemen
Weaknesses:
Scoring, special teams,
goaltending
Offense
Calgary may not have had a strong season on offense, but the team
may have outperformed expectations anyway. The Flames entered with
a motley crew of veterans who were never quite stars in the league,
young and unproven scorers, and role players counted on to deliver in
roles they weren’t quite suited for. With all of that in mind, ranking 23rd
in goals scored should not be seen as a huge failure.
With that said, this team still has a long way to go if it wants to
return to relevance in the Western Conference. Michael Cammalleri led
the Flames with 26 goals last year, but he’s gone from the team, having
departed to New Jersey in free agency. That leaves the Flames with a
top line of Curtis Glencross (24 points last year), Matt Stajan (33), and Jiri
Hudler (52). Those players would all be a good fit as a third line or maybe
a second line option, but they’re out of place on the top line of a team.
Anchoring the second line will be second-year forward Sean
Monahan, who had a promising rookie year with 22 goals scored.
Monahan had just 12 assists and struggled defensively, so he still has
a lot to learn about the NHL game. He’ll play alongside free agent
acquisition Mason Raymond, a capable scorer who might qualify as the
most talented offensive player on the entire Calgary team.
Rounding out the playmakers on offense are Mikael Backlund and
Paul Byron, each of whom scored about half a point per game last year.
Calgary will hope for contributions out of young players like John
Gaudreau, but as of right now, they simply lack players worthy of being
on a top line. This offense lacks top talent and is going to struggle to
score goals again in the 2014-15 season.
Defense
By far the best thing about the Flames season was the rise of Mark
Giordano to becoming one of the best two-way defensemen in the
PACIFIC DIVISION
Curtis Glencross
PHOTO/NHL/Getty Images